Defining Myself with Objects

My individuality is important to me. Having a sense of self reminder me I exist and matter. One of the ways I express my individuality is through the physical objects I use and  surround myself with.

Things like:

• Clothes
• Food
• Bags
• Books
• Electronics
• Pens
• Work
• Hobbies
• Sport
• Money

They all play a role.
One of the ways these objects define me is by staking claim to aspects of the society I live in. This in turn communicates my overall values while each one maintains a sense of meaning and/or purpose.
Because of the subtlety of these daily objects I often dismiss them as irrelevant. It’s only after repeatedly coming back to an object that I began to recognize the role it plays.

Over the couple of years I have been on the hunt for a pen that writes well, is comfortable to use, and is made of metal. I always have a pen. Having the right pen makes a big difference with the enjoyment of my daily use.
I love the way a felt tip pen writes but hate having to throw it away after the ink has run out. It feels so wasteful (a value I hold). After moving through a series of felt tip pens I’ve recently settled on a metal-barreled Sharpie S-Gel.

The metal-barreled Sharpie does the trick but half of it is plastic. The plastic components will eventually wear out and I’ll have to throw it away.

I’m at a impasse with this object that is an extension of who I am in the world.

• What objects help to define you?
• What things do you come back to as favorites?
• Or feel like extensions of your body?